The International Information & Library Review

Academics' attitudes towards use of electronic journals: A case study of Punjab and Chandigarh

Publication date: December 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 4
Author(s): Amritpal Kaur
The article examines academics attitude towards e-journal use. A well structured questionnaire was designed to elicit the opinions of the users. Responses were gathered from 542 faculty members of five universities. The results of the study showed that the characteristics that affect the choice of e-format over print in order of preference are ‘faster access’, ‘available from desktop’, ‘convenience’, ‘remote access’, ‘timeliness’, ‘available at all times’, ‘hyperlinks’, ‘multi-user access’, ‘currency of information’, ‘inclusion of audio–video material’, ‘interactivity’ and ‘animation of graphics’. The characteristics that affect the choice of print format over electronic in order of priority are ‘physical comfort’, ‘portability’, ‘ability to underline’, ‘familiarity with format’ and ‘ability to browse’. A majority of the teachers use e-journals for ‘research’, ‘teaching’, ‘writing reports’, ‘current awareness’, ‘background research’ and ‘internal/external presentations’. The problems faced in accessing e-journals are ‘access difficulties’, ‘discomfort of reading from computer screen’, ‘lack of IT knowledge/skill’, ‘information overload’ etc. A majority of the teachers want future e-journals to have features such as ‘full text index of every article’, ‘searching capability across a wide range of journal articles’, ‘searching capability within an article, display relationship between a wide range of works’ and ‘links to multimedia files’, etc. On the basis of the findings, some suggestions are made for maximizing the use of e-journals.

Highlights

► Users in case study in India prefer e-journals. ► Users prefer e-journals because of their benefits. ► Users want searching related and value-added features in future e-journals. ► Optimum use of e-journals depends on availability of proper infrastructure.

The International Information & Library Review

A university library management model for students' learning support

Publication date: December 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 3–4
Author(s): Kulthida Tuamsuk, Kanyarat Kwiecien, Jutharat Sarawanawong
This research was aimed at developing a university library management model that would support students' learning. The research was conducted in three phases: 1) an investigation into the requirements of a university library service of instructors; 2) an investigation into the attitudes of librarians, libraries' administrators, and university's administrators toward the roles of library and policy concepts relating to university library management that promote students' learning; and 3) the development of a university library management model for students' learning support. A mixed research method was applied comprising qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected using in-depth interviews and questionnaires. The findings have led to a proposal of a university library management model that supports student learning, which is comprised of five components: 1) management policy and system; 2) learning resources; 3) learning support services; 4) learning environments; and 5) the competency and roles of information professionals. It can be stated that studies into Thai university library implementation, strategic plans, and self-assessment reports under the quality assurance system showed that even though libraries have updated resources and services following changing situations in policies, technologies, and users' needs, there is no clear indicator that Thai university libraries have any strategy for acquiring roles to support students' learning with practical outcomes. Through reliable research work, this study into a model for university library management would result in a means of developing university libraries that truly supports university student learning based on information from instructors, library administrators, and librarians.

The International Information & Library Review

Information ethics in Pakistani librarianship: The role of online mailing groups

Publication date: June 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Maqsood Ahmad Shaheen, Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Sajid Mirza
This study examines the practice of information ethics of the members of the mailing group of the Pakistan Library Automation Group, called PAKLAGPK who participate frequently in the discussions on a variety of LIS ethical issues. The research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, including a survey questionnaire to measure subscribers' prior knowledge about certain issues in Information Ethics (IE). The research also uses the content analysis method to investigate the information communication behavior of the subscribers over this mailing group.

Highlights

► Examines information ethics behavior of Pakistani LIS professionals. ► Investigates prior knowledge of LIS professionals about information ethics. ► Conducts content analysis of online discussion group of Pakistan Library Automation Group (PLAGPK). ► Suggests steps to raise awareness among the LIS professionals about information ethics.

The International Information & Library Review

Assessment of theft and mutilation of information resources in selected academic libraries in Niger State

Publication date: September 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 3
Author(s): Samuel J. Udoudoh
This research was conducted to assess theft and mutilation of information resources in academic libraries in the Niger State of Nigeria, the reason why users resort to theft and mutilation, measures used to steal and mutilate information resources, possible measures to stem and curb these acts in the future. The survey research method was employed using the simple random sampling technique where three academic libraries were selected from all academic libraries in Niger State. Two types of validated questionnaires were designed and administered to both staff and student users. One hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered to library staff, out of which 72 copies were returned and found usable with valid responses. One hundred and eighty copies of the questionnaires out of 250 administered to student users were returned with valid data. The findings revealed that most of the offenders are students who use various methods to perfect these acts. It was also discovered that such stolen materials were concealed in clothes, files or bags. Mutilations of materials occurred in the form of tearing pages of text materials and writing on pages of books. It equally revealed that theft and mutilation were encouraged by the lack of adequate copies of titles to meet the needs of users among others. To address these problems, certain security systems, provisions of photocopiers and the extension of library hours are recommended.

Highlights

► Respondents agree that theft and mutilation of library materials are a major threat to collections. ► Respondents believed that students from poor economic backgrounds committed these acts more than any other group. ► Recommended more library security, staff training and user education to thwart theft and mutilation of collections.

The International Information & Library Review

Use of digital media and demand for digitized contents in higher education sector of Pakistan

Publication date: September 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 3
Author(s): Muhammad Rafiq, Kanwal Ameen
The use of digital media is on rise around the world and same phenomenon is emerging in Pakistan. The study was intended to explore the use of digital media and demand for digitized contents in higher education sector of Pakistan. The research questions were answered by a comprehensive literature review along with semi-structured in-depth interviews of 25 library experts. The findings conferred that the use of digital media in higher education is on rise and demand for digitized contents is growing increasingly. The findings of the study made a good case for the libraries to focus more on acquisition of information resources in digital formats as well as initiate digitization initiatives.

Highlights

► We examine the use of digital media and demand for d-contents in higher education. ► Higher education sector witnessed a significant expansion in recent years. ► Use of digital media is on rise among the users of higher education in Pakistan. ► Demand for digitized contents is growing increasingly. ► Libraries need to acquire more information resources in digital formats.

The International Information & Library Review

Organizational storytelling as a method of tacit-knowledge transfer: Case study from a Sri Lankan university

Publication date: December 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 4
Author(s): Pradeepa Wijetunge
Sri Lanka has a long history and culture of storytelling but the use of stories for transferring tacit knowledge is absent. This paper is the first to examine the application of orgnisational stories as a method of tacit-knowledge transfer management tool in the library domain.The study had two objectives; 1) To explore the potential of storytelling to transfer tacit knowledge from the Librarian to the junior executives. 2) To examine whether captured stories serve the pursuit of knowledge by the junior executives. Two research questions were formulated to achieve these objectives. The first research question (RQ1) How can the tacit knowledge of a retiring senior executive be captured through stories? was framed and addressed to achieve objective one and the second research question (RQ2) Can the captured “stories of work” benefit knowledge workers in their pursuit of tacit knowledge? was framed and addressed to achieve objective two. The study was based on primary data collected from the Librarian and executive staff of the Library by means of two Interview Schedules and the entire study was underpinned by an extensive review of research literature related to organizational storytelling. Qualitative as well as quantitative methods were used to analysis and interpretation data.The findings of the study proved in response to RQ1 that organizational stories can be captured using a six-step process and a story capturing model which could be used by the other researcher emerged from the research. Nevertheless, findings also established that the comprehensiveness of the tacit knowledge that could be captured through stories would depend on the degree of confidentiality of the contents of the stories. Therefore all stories could not be recorded as they are told. Responding to RQ2 the findings proved that, captured “stories of work” can be used for the benefit of knowledge workers in their pursuit of tacit knowledge.Based on these findings it was recommended that, the library should take initiatives to exploit the already prevailing habit of organizational storytelling in the library as a method of transferring tacit knowledge in a deliberated manner and for this several activities were recommended.The findings were based only on a single case, in a single organization carried out during a six-month period, within the boundaries of a specific organizational and social culture. Therefore additional case studies would be necessary to test the validity and reliability of the story capturing model.This research is the first of its kind carried out in the library domain of Sri Lanka. Therefore it provides significant insights on which future researchers can build their studies.

Highlights

► Informal storytelling can be exploited as a mode of tacit-knowledge transfer. ► Organizational stories can transfer tacit knowledge from managers to subordinates. ► Significance of tacit knowledge embodied in the stories depends on their contents. ► Organizational stories can be captured using a six-step process. ► Captured “stories of work” can be used as a source of knowledge.

The International Information & Library Review

Sustainable consortium building among university libraries in Nigeria: Adoption of new strategies

Publication date: March 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 1
Author(s): Ifijeh Goodluck
This paper makes a case for sustainable consortium building among University libraries in Nigeria. It examines critical issues involved in consortium building, identifies inherent problems and charts the way forward in dealing with identified problems. It further posits that if carefully planned and executed, consortium building could help Nigerian University libraries improve and sustain services to users.

Highlights

► University libraries in Nigeria need sustainable consortia. ► Some challenges are: irregular dues payments, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and lack of power supply. ► Governance, management, and licencing also present challenges. ► Success depends on: adequate funding, ICT, power supply, HR, and a central coordinating body.

The International Information & Library Review

Managerial skills needed for academic library managers: The case of Iran

Publication date: June 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 2
Author(s): Zouhayr Hayati, Nilofar Barahmand
This survey investigates the extent to which Iranian academic library managers need managerial skills and the influence of their level of seniority on this need. The results revealed that, in general, managers' need for managerial skills is high especially “people related skills” over “analytical and self-related skills” and “task related skills”. Analysis of the mean scores of skills across three levels of managers shows that the middle level managers' need for managerial skills is higher than top managers and supervisors. Overall, most respondents ranked “creating organizational climate” as the skill most needed while few said they needed development for “counseling subordinates.”

Highlights

► Iranian academic library managers’ need for all managerial skills is high. ► The relative rank of each skill varies slightly based on level of seniority of managers. ► “People related skills” is the most needed category of skills across all levels.

The International Information & Library Review

Use of digital resources by the scientists of Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), India: A survey

Publication date: September 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 1–2
Author(s): Abdul Mannan Khan, Atika Khursheed
The purpose of this study is to find out the level of use of digital resources by the scientists of CDRI, Lucknow (India). As a matter of fact, CDRI is among the thirty eight laboratories that are functioning under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of India headed by the Prime Minister of the nation as its president. CDRI is a pioneer research organization in the field of biomedical research in India. A well structured questionnaire was administered to the scientists of CDRI, Lucknow (India) to collect data regarding the use of digital resources. The survey reveals that most of the scientists are aware of the availability of digital resources and frequently use them for their research work and paper writing. They fully agree that with the usefulness of digital resources the quality of research work improves with enrichment of appurtenant contents and materials leading to high quality manuscript. It is also observed that majority of scientists of the CDRI keep themselves abreast of developments in digital resources and their proper utilization for their research projects. It is, however, found that slow downloading is the obstacle in proper and full utilization of digital resources.

The International Information & Library Review

Exploring copyright knowledge in relation to experience and education level among academic librarians in Kenya

Publication date: March 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 1
Author(s): Musa Wakhungu Olaka, Denice Adkins
Since the year 2001, Kenya’s copyright regime has extensively been shaped by Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement; World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty; Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA); and The Cotonou Agreement, which have advocated for effective copyright administration and management structures in addition to stiffer penalties for those who violate copyright laws. Despite better administrative structures being put in place, copyright infringement in Kenya has persisted. Being able to balance the needs of rights owners and information consumers becomes a critical role librarians have to play. Knowledge about copyright, thus, becomes critical. Despite the fact that librarians in Kenya are not a homogenous group, how knowledgeable the different librarian cadres are concerning copyright issues is least understood. The raison d’être for this study is to find out whether different cadres of librarians based on academic qualifications differ in the level of knowledge on copyright issues. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Results indicate no statistically significant difference in self-reported knowledge of copyright among the five librarian cadres based on their education level and neither is there a statistically significant difference based on librarians’ years of service. Statistically significant differences among the five librarian cadres exist when we compare “tested knowledge” of copyright issues. Evidence of insufficient mastery of provisions in the Kenyan copyright law does exist.

Highlights

► Evidence of limited mastery of copyright issues among Kenyan academic librarians does exist. ► Significant differences exist in level of tested knowledge based on librarians’ education level. ► More years of service do not necessarily translate to higher levels of copyright knowledge.

The International Information & Library Review

Outcomes of the Bologna Process in LIS higher education: Comparing two programs in Europe

Publication date: December 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 4
Author(s): Mario Pérez-Montoro, Anna Maria Tammaro
PurposeThe Bologna Process (BP) approach is distinguished by its emphasis on outcomes, moving the criteria for quality from input (what faculty teaches) to learning outcomes (what students will be able to do).MethodologyThe authors want to look at the issues and opportunities involved in applying the learning outcomes approach in two southern European countries with similar traditions and no previous experience of this approach. Data were collected from a documentary review based on official documents and open statistics and a survey of selected stakeholders connected to the LIS schools of Parma and Barcelona.FindingsWithin the BP framework, the LIS schools of Parma and Barcelona have distinctive missions and goals but differ in their approach to defining the attributes they expect of their graduates. Although LIS as an academic and educational undertaking has common historical roots in Spain and Italy, research and education since BP has developed in different directions.LimitationsFindings are based on the context of higher education in Italy and Spain, although the focus is on the two LIS schools of Parma and Barcelona.Originality/value of the paperThere are definite barriers to using learning outcomes as a measure of quality enhancement for LIS educational programs. Not least is the challenge of developing a list of learning outcomes that stakeholders at both national and international level can agree on. Nevertheless, this study concludes that LIS learning outcomes in Europe should be investigated as a means of benchmarking and determining the feasibility of guidelines regarding the equivalency and reciprocity of professional LIS qualifications.

Highlights

► We examine LIS higher education in Italy and Spain. ► LIS has similar tradition and common historical roots in Spain and Italy. ► In Spain and Italy, Bologna model has been developed in different directions.

The International Information & Library Review

Editorial board & publication information

Publication date: September 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 3

The International Information & Library Review

Publisher's note

Publication date: December 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 3–4

The International Information & Library Review

A qualitative study of the academic, social, and cultural factors that influence students' library use in a rural Ugandan village

Publication date: September 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 1–2
Author(s): Valeda F. Dent
The Kitengesa Community Library in rural Uganda is unique in that provides tailored collections and services for the community. This library, which was built in 2002, serves a small but diverse population including a large number of secondary school students who live in the area. Previous research on the impact of this library on the surrounding community revealed that the library influences reading habits, reading culture development, and the availability of locally relevant information. This is especially true for young adults, who represent Uganda's fastest growing population. Only 18 percent of girls and 20 percent of boys are enrolled in secondary school, rendering this group of students (ages 13–17) particularly vulnerable to a wide range of social and economic challenges. School libraries in Uganda are rare, and in this case, the Kitengesa Community Library serves as a de facto school library. Previous research by Dent and Yannotta (2005) revealed that secondary school students are among the heaviest users of the Kitengesa Community Library, and this qualitative study represents an attempt to characterize students' library use experiences across academic, social, and cultural domains. Findings suggest that the student experience consists of five factors – personal improvement, reading culture development, academic support, learning independence, and reducing isolation. There is a growing network of rural village libraries in Africa and the findings from this study will be used to inform development of additional library services and resources to better support student learning and interpersonal growth.

The International Information & Library Review

Multilingual Digital Libraries: A review of issues in system-centered and user-centered studies, information retrieval and user behavior

Publication date: September 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 1–2
Author(s): Evgenia Vassilakaki, Emmanouel Garoufallou
PurposeThis study aims to identify, collect and critical review the research literature on Multilingual Digital Libraries in English language from 1997 to 2012.Design/methodology/approachThe present literature review has followed the rules of systematic review. In particular, the identified relevant papers were categorized based on their expressed aim on two core themes, that of system-centered and user-centered studies. The assigned papers were further analyzed and six sub-themes emerged for the system-centered studies and four for the user-centered studies. Additional categorization was also provided according to type of publication.FindingsThe literature concerning Multilingual Digital Libraries is vast and mainly focuses on two aspects the “System” and the “Users”. The majority of papers tried to meet the challenges raised for enabling multilingual information retrieval in Digital Libraries. Unfortunately, these efforts undertaken by a small number of researchers or research groups apparently working in isolation and therefore resulting in the development of numerous different tools and techniques. Relatively few studies have focused on the user and aimed to explore users' behavior and expectations when interacting with Multilingual Digital Libraries. As a result, further research is needed to reach to some tangible and usable findings.Originality/valueThis literature review captures the diversity of the research conducted regarding multilingual information access and retrieval in Digital Libraries. It organizes the vast literature in comprehensive themes and sub-themes enabling easy access to specific information.LimitationsThis study reviews only papers in English due to language restrictions from 1997 to 2012.

The International Information & Library Review

Library consortia in India with special reference to UGC-Infonet digital library consortium

Publication date: December 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 3–4
Author(s): Suresh K. Chauhan, Preeti Mahajan
Including scholarly contents has given right to the publishers of peer-reviewed journals to keep higher subscription rates. It always affects library budget to a great extent. Since long libraries have been experimenting different ways of library cooperation so that maximum benefit, especially economic benefit, could be extracted from their joint cooperation ventures. The term ‘consortia’ has been considered an advanced stage of library cooperation. Advent of electronic journals has given rise to homogonous libraries and national governments to cope with scarcity of funds and unavailability of internationally produced scholarly literature by means of establishing library consortia. Various library consortia have been mushroomed all across the world and India has also not been spared from it. University Grants Commission (UGC) observed the dire state of Indian university libraries and found that only few were subscribing to some International peer-reviewed journals and many were not even subscribing to any international journal. The UGC opted electronic journals as medium and initiated a national consortium for strengthening library collection by providing thousands of international peer-reviewed journals over Internet free of cost. The consortium is known as UGC-Infonet Digital Library consortium. In this paper an effort is being made to discuss the various concepts of library consortia in India briefly and UGC-Infonet Digital Library consortium in detail.

The International Information & Library Review

Journal publishing challenges: A case of STM scientific journals in Croatia

Publication date: September 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 3
Author(s): Radovan Vrana
This paper presents findings from the research of 87 scientific journals in the fields of science, technology and medicine (STM) in Croatia. Findings indicate a set of problems editors and editorial teams in the fields of STM encounter during their work such, as insufficient financial support to the journal, low quality of article manuscripts, badly formatted article manuscripts, lack of help to the editor, etc. Findings also indicate use of information and communication technology (ICT) for communication with authors, but ICT is still not used sufficiently to make the shift from print to electronic publishing possible. Most journals in research face financial problems, and they are understaffed, while editors are overburdened with other duties. The recommendation is to professionalize the management of the journals to allow editors and their associates to dedicate their time solely to this job in order to facilitate the transformation of scientific journals from paper to electronic versions and to participate actively in the scientific communication paradigm shift.

Highlights

► Croatian STM journals burdened with organizational problems. ► Describes use of ICT for the improvement of journal management. ► Despite organizational problems, STM journals able to maintain quality. ► Professionalization of STM journals necessary to maintain the speed of publication.

The International Information & Library Review

Editorial: Transition and reinvention

Publication date: September 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 1–2
Author(s): Karen I. MacDonald

The International Information & Library Review

The Irish ‘Working Group on Information Literacy’ – Edging towards a national policy

Publication date: March 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 1
Author(s): Terry O’Brien, Philip Russell
The authors of this paper provide an overview of the activities of the Irish Working Group on Information Literacy (WGIL) and its role in advancing a national policy for information literacy in the Republic of Ireland.The study focuses on the work of the group during its lifetime including the various activities, marketing and advocacy initiatives and some of the challenges and issues the group faced, in particular, the diversity of the Irish library and information sector and the lack of an integrated approach for information literacy development.The study presents the findings of the report produced by WGIL entitled Library Association of Ireland: Working Group on Information Literacy: Review of Cross-Sector Activity 2006–2008 and Initial Recommendations for Further Action which reviewed best practices and information literacy activities in the various LIS sectors in the Republic of Ireland during a two-year period. The key recommendation of this report is for the leadership of the Library Association of Ireland to develop a national information literacy strategy that advocates for the importance of information literacy as a lifelong and transferable skill.

Highlights

► Lack of national cohesive strategy for information literacy (IL) challenge in Ireland. ► Many challenges for IL require coordinating disparate group activities. ► IL frameworks in Scotland and Wales may be models. ► Formal research and major IL conference needed to address challenges. ► Continued advocacy and continuing professional development (CPD) for IL.

The International Information & Library Review

Editorial board & publication information

Publication date: March 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 1

The International Information & Library Review

Traditional knowledge management and preservation: Intersections with Library and Information Science

Publication date: March 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 1
Author(s): Charles Kamau Maina
The African proverb “When an elder dies, a library burns down” clearly sums up the importance of traditional knowledge preservation and cultural continuity, which the study found to be a key need and concern amongst First Nations communities in Ontario, Canada. To follow-up on elders’ suggestions that libraries are potential custodians of traditional knowledge, this paper explores how traditional knowledge preservation intersects with Library and Information Science (LIS) practices of knowledge classification, organization, and dissemination and establishes the various challenges that this intersection poses to these LIS practices. The paper concludes that libraries and other information institutions need to re-examine and reconstruct themselves in ways that take into account non-western epistemologies and worldviews and develop much needed cultural competency in order to undertake traditional knowledge custodianship.

Highlights

► Explores how traditional knowledge preservation intersects with LIS practices. ► Questions whether the traditional knowledge protection debate considers non-western views. ► IFLA challenges libraries to take a leading role in traditional knowledge. ► Addresses whether LIS is prepared for leading role. ► Argues that current tools present many challenges.

The International Information & Library Review

A study of digital curator competences: A survey of experts

Publication date: December 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 3–4
Author(s): Melody M. Madrid
The aim of this research was to define competences for digital curators, and to validate a Delphi process in the context of Library, Archives, Museum curriculum development. The objective for the study was to obtain consensus regarding competence statements for Library, Archives and Museum digital curators.The Delphi method, a research technique, typically used to develop a consensus of opinion for topic areas in which there is little previously documented knowledge, was used in specifying the digital curator competences in LAM context. Three rounds of questionnaires with controlled feedback with space for comments and/or suggestions were sent to panel members. Five point Likert scale was employed in the questionnaire. Consensus was determined when a competence statement received a mode higher than 3, an average mean more than 3.5, and a standard deviation smaller than 1.0.Response rates for rounds I, II and III were: 70% (n = 16), 87.5% (n = 14), and 94% (n = 15) respectively. Of the 18 digital curator competences listed in the first round questionnaire, 13 (70%) achieved consensus as being necessary digital curator competences required of advanced level digital curator. Other inputs of respondents like comments and suggestions were also analyzed. An additional 23 digital curator competence statements were also suggested by the panel in round I and further developed in subsequent rounds. In round II, 12 (30%) competence statements achieved consensus. The final round and editing of competence statements led to 20 statements that describe what a well-prepared digital curator trained to participate in digital curation work should be able to do.

The International Information & Library Review

Foreword

Publication date: September 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 3
Author(s): Toni Carbo

The International Information & Library Review

Visualizing of the structure of subject trends in Persian articles published during 2008–2012 in information organization domain

Publication date: December 2013
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 45, Issues 3–4
Author(s): Maryam Mousavizadeh, Masume Bagheri, Mansure Bagheri, Masume Karbala aghaie Kamran
This research investigates structure of the subject trends in the Persian articles published during the period of 2008–2012 about “information organization” in Iranian journals and creates a semantic map for this domain. This structure has been considered in two sections: First, the weight of each subject term used in articles was indicated, and then the relationships amounts of terms were measured. Content analysis and weighting were used in the first section. The Vector Space Model formula was used in order to weight terms. In the second section, Co-term analysis was used, that is, the number of co-occurrence of any two terms in the same article. Then the term/document occurrence matrix of these terms was created and at last the relations significant between terms were measured by Pearson Correlation Coefficient. To illustrate the structure of information organization domain, Ucinet software was used. Findings show that high-weight categories in Persian articles are: “cataloging”, “information retrieval”, “information systems” and “authority files”. Furthermore through weighting, determined that in trends rate aspect, the terms “ontologies”, “cataloging”, “evaluation”, “Dewey Decimal Classification”, “fields”, “libraries and information centers” and “descriptors”, “Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records”, “metadata elements” and “National library and archives of I.R. of Iran” are 10 highest-weight terms. Research findings about the relationships of terms show attention to “cataloging” by “IFLA” and “National library and archives of Iran” and critical approach to this subject. Some other findings about this show: “indexing” are considered by cataloging and thesauri, “metadata” are considered in web-based and information retrieval points of view, “ontologies” term is considered in approach of basic concepts, tools and relevance, and attention to some organizations such as “IFLA” and “National library and archives organization of Iran” besides “users” and their information needs. In terms of weighting and relationships between the subject terms in Persian articles, “cataloging” is in the center of information organization domain. The semantic map of information organization in Persian articles illustrates three region of subject area including: 1. Cataloging, 2. Ontologies, thesauri and information retrieval, and 3. Metadata and information retrieval.

The International Information & Library Review

Electronic resources and services in Pakistani university libraries: A survey of users' satisfaction

Publication date: September 2012
Source:The International Information & Library Review, Volume 44, Issue 3
Author(s): Muhammad Sajid Mirza, Khalid Mahmood
This study is an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic resources and services in Pakistani university libraries on the basis of users' satisfaction. A survey method was employed to conduct the research. Using convenience sampling, eight university libraries; four each from Islamabad and Lahore including two from the public sector and two from the private sector having IT applications, were included in the users survey. The total population (i.e., 40,236) of library users was very large; therefore, a reasonable, manageable and convenient sample of 800 library users, including 100 users each from the eight libraries was selected. A semi structured questionnaire was designed to collect data, while a five-point Likert Scale from 1 (Dissatisfied) to 5 (Extremely satisfied) was used to measure the satisfaction level of the respondent. The study concluded that Pakistani university libraries are offering effective electronic resources and services to their users.